As life expectancy increases, so do the concerns that go along with an aging population.

“The fastest growing segment is those over 85,” said Midland County Senior Services Executive Director Alan Brown. “And that is where the real challenges will be over the next 15 to 25 years is the fact that we have a greatly extended life span so people will retire in their late 50s or early 60s. They will have many years to figure out what they want to do. Will their savings, will their retirement actually fund them for all those years?”

The American Community Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau states that, in 2005, Midland County’s population of 85+ was 1 percent. That number almost doubled to 1.9 percent in 2012.

“We’re still edging up in that direction and it is still almost inevitable that the baby boomers are going to be there no matter what,” Brown said. “You can see it with the schools. They’re closing schools.”

It is also going to produce a different dynamic with caregiving.

“There will probably be young, retired seniors taking care of their elderly seniors,” said Brown. “There will be a segment of very healthy seniors that will live into their 80s and even 90s or 100s.”

Alzheimer’s disease will become an even greater concern with an aging population.

“Alzheimer’s is a burden on the person suffering, but also the caregiver,” said Brown. “It is a very stressful situation, whether it is the spouse that has the disease, or whether it is a parent that has the disease. It is a real life-changer and relationship-changer.”

Another serious issue Brown is observing is elder abuse.

“We’re seeing more exploitation,” said Brown. “There will be a lot of tension. People would pass along their savings earlier in their lives to their children. That is not going to happen as early. So, there will be a temptation. There will also be seniors working later into life whether it is a second career. Or an initial career. There will a generational competition for good jobs, leadership jobs.”

Fortunately there is state awareness of this increasing concern as Gov. Rick Snyder addressed the problem in his State of the State address.

“This last year there were some outstanding senior abuse and protection bills passed,” said Snyder. “But our work is not done. I think there is the opportunity for more legislation, especially on financial matters for seniors to help prevent abuse in situations where people are being taken advantage of.”

Snyder also said he would like to see more independence for seniors.

“... One of the things we want to do for our seniors is to create independence for them: to allow them to stay at home,” he said. “We’re not helping with that situation because we have waiting lists. On some of these waiting lists, seniors are waiting more than six months. And what are these lists for? Things like Meals on Wheels and other in-home services. We have over 1,000 people on the waiting list for Meals on Wheels. Over 3,000 for other services. When I do my budget, I’m going to ask for additional resources so we can make Michigan a ‘No-wait state’ for in-home services for seniors.”

But, it’s still an uphill battle to find seniors willing to speak out about abuse.

“They don’t want to cause trouble even if they are being taken advantage of; they are not quick to report those things,” said Brown. “We’ve had some situations where we’ve delivered meals on wheels to people and see there is something going on, but the senior is very tight lipped about it.”

Locally, there is a plan to form an interagency group that would meet and brainstorm about those situations.

One program already initiated is: “Aging in Place,” which the Centers for Disease Control defines as: “The ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level.”

“This is what we are totally committed to,” said Brown. “That people need to age with dignity. No matter what stage of frailty they are at, we want people to still determine what is important in their lives ... We are very blessed here. We have a good, strong base of financial health and great commitment toward human services. Philanthropy is very strong here.”

Also on Brown’s mind is the tax base.

“The other big issue will be the economy, the tax base and what we will be able to afford,” said Brown. “You just can’t fund everything. So, as we see that service demand and health service demand for seniors, there are going to be some critical decisions along the way. There is only so much money out there and there is so much demand.”